Hearing to Weigh Proposed Ridesharing Rules

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is holding a hearing on Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to regulate ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft.

Patrick, who leaves office in Jan. 8, wants to give the state Department of Public Utilities the power to regulate the companies, which allow users to request and pay for a car service through their cellphone. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the state transportation building in Boston.

Uber supports the proposal, which would require companies obtain state operations certificates and conduct criminal background checks on drivers.

Taxicab owners say the changes could put passengers at risk by allowing rideshare drivers to operate vehicles without designated commercial livery plates and not requiring individual drivers to carry "primary commercial automobile liability insurance."